Phosphorus

By: Rachel Ruplinger

Phosphorus

By: Rachel Ruplinger

Who Discovered It?

Phosphorus was dicovered by Hennig Brand in 1669. He was a mechanist and an alchemist. While experimenting the "philosophers throne" he was dealing with heated residues from boiled-down urine. All the sudden, out of the retort, there were glowing fumes and liquid dripping out of it bursting into flames! Brand had caught the liquid in a jar and it had solidified still giving off a pale-green glow. Brand had discovered Phosphorus!

Information About Phosphorus!

There are two types of Phosphorus, red and white. White Phosphorus s very reactive and Red Phosphorus needs to friction to react.. Phosphorus is pyrophoric, which means that it's able to self ignite itself in the air. This element is also exothermic and melts itself until it ignites. When Phosphorus ignites, the element has to of made contact with oxygen and it lights up making a flame. Before it flames, smoke appears. You can also make Red Phosphorus from White Phosphorus and vice versa.

Photography

Red Phosphorus

Can be found in matches, detergents, pesticides, navel agents, and more! If burnt to at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit, it can turn into White Phosphorus. Red Phosphorus can only be ignited by friction.

White Phosphorus

Stored under water so it won't react and be contacted with air. Used to be used in bombs during war!

Phosphorus Reacting with Air

This is an example of Phosphorus igniting. Phosphorus was made into a liquid and dropped on a paper plate outside. After a couple of seconds, the Phosphorus was being swept away, it burnt the paper leaving a 'P' in the middle.

Red Phosphorus

Can be found in matches, detergents, pesticides, navel agents, and more! If burnt to at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit, it can turn into White Phosphorus. Red Phosphorus can only be ignited by friction.

White Phosphorus

Stored under water so it won't react and be contacted with air. Used to be used in bombs during war!

Phosphorus Reacting with Air

This is an example of Phosphorus igniting. Phosphorus was made into a liquid and dropped on a paper plate outside. After a couple of seconds, the Phosphorus was being swept away, it burnt the paper leaving a 'P' in the middle.